Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Cairns Foreshore, FNE Qld IMG_0640 20190418 - adult, breeding plumage:
head plumes, spray of plumes on lower back.CLICK for another w. fish, 20240405.
Notes: Small snow-white heron w. slender dark bill,
yellow skin between the bill & eye, blackish
legs. Cf
Great Egret,
Plumed Egret. Male larger than female.
Nominate ssp garzetta (NH + India,
SE Asia etc) has yellow feet.
Ssp nigripes has yellow-soled feet. Breeding adult has two long
wispy head plumes & a spray of white plumes on lower back. Often runs after
fish in shallow
water. Nests in colonies, often w. other wading birds.
Range from Morcombe & Stewart©
Cairns Foreshore, FNE Qld IMG_6373 20200408 - right: non-breeding plumage; left: breeding plumage.CLICK for pic of bird in non-breeding plumage.
Cairns Foreshore, FNE Qld IMG_8154 20200424 - breeding plumage
Cairns Swamp, Manunda, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_3848 20191222 - adult flying: black bill, yellow lores, black legs trailing.CLICK for another Cairns foreshore, FNE Qld 20240411.
Foreshore, Cairns North, FNE Qld IMG_8575 20200430 - non-breeding plumage w. dirty Royal Spoonbill.
Morris Road, Giru, NE Qld IMG_0023_3 20220226 - breeding & non-breeding w. Great Egret. CLICK for close-up.
Cairns Foreshore, FN Qld IMG_6181 20200405 - two breeding plumage w. Great Egret
Foeshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_5315 20230807 - breeding plumage
Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_4775 20191107 - non-breeding plumage
Foreshore, Cairns, FNE Qld IMG_9952 20210503 - young? Substantial yellow on bill, BUT spray of white plumes on back.CLICK for close-up of face.
Cattana Wetland, Cairns, FN Qld IMG_5022 20191109
Lake Tyers, SE Vic MVI_6324 20190313 - half speed
Karumba Point, FN Qld IMG_5377 20200620